Jayson Tatum, Celtics, Jayson Tatum return, Jayson Tatum injury
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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the bench during the second half at TD Garden on November 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics fell to the New York Knicks 111-89 on Super Bowl Sunday, ending a five-game winning streak in disappointing fashion. The loss dropped the Celtics to 34-19, still good for third place in the Eastern Conference but highlighting issues that need fixing.
After watching both the Celtics and New England Patriots lose on Sunday, Boston fans needed good news. Monday delivered it.
The Celtics announced that Jayson Tatum would practice with the Maine Celtics, their G-League affiliate, marking a significant step forward in his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered last May. The assignment came one day after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tatum had begun controlled five-on-five scrimmages with the coaching staff.
One Celtics insider has been watching Tatum’s recovery all season, and he has a strong feeling about what’s coming next.
Carter’s Take on Tatum’s Return
Drew Carter, the Celtics’ play-by-play announcer, appeared on The Kevin O’Connor Show this week and was asked directly about Tatum’s timeline. His answer reflected a conviction he’s held since the season started.
“I’ve all year thought that he’s going to try to play this season and nothing has changed my mind on that,” Carter said.
Carter acknowledged he doesn’t have inside information on an exact return date. The Celtics haven’t shared one publicly, and he’s not sure one exists internally. But his gut feeling hasn’t wavered despite the uncertainty surrounding Tatum’s recovery.
The recent progression validates Carter’s instinct. Tatum went from individual work to five-on-five scrimmages against coaches on Sunday, then practiced with professional players on Monday. The steps are coming quickly, and the timeline is accelerating.
Why Carter Believes Tatum Will Play
Tatum has been with the team for every game this season. He doesn’t just show up for home games at TD Garden. He travels to road games and sits on the bench. JT stays connected to the group in ways that go beyond just being a supportive teammate.
“To me, that’s a sign that he wants to stay connected to the group,” Carter said. “And I think that goes beyond just being a good teammate. I actually think that he wants to play games alongside the guys he’s been sitting next to all season.”
Tatum has also been very public about his recovery. He’s posted updates on social media. He worked out in front of media after a shootaround in Detroit. The transparency suggests someone building toward a return, not someone shutting it down for the year.
The Celtics play one more before the All-Star break, then head out on a four-game West Coast road trip starting February 19.
“I will say a couple of things…his birthday is in early March. Just something to consider,” Carter said.
What Tatum’s Return Would Mean for the Celtics
The Celtics sit at 34-19 without Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown has carried the offensive load all season, averaging close to 30 points per game and earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for January. Boston has proven it can win without its franchise player.
But adding Tatum back changes everything. Boston is already one of the East’s best teams. Now imagine them acquiring an elite, All-NBA caliber player without giving up anything. That’s essentially what happens if Tatum returns.
The Eastern Conference remains wide open. The Knicks just handed Boston a lopsided loss at TD Garden. The Cleveland Cavaliers added James Harden at the deadline and look scarier. The Detroit Pistons are physical and legitimate. There are multiple teams capable of winning the conference.
But if Tatum returns healthy, the Celtics become the favorites.
jayson tatum
GettyJayson Tatum eyeing an early return to action.
Final Word for the Celtics
The recent progression supports Carter’s feeling. Tatum went from individual work to five-on-five scrimmages to practicing with G-League players in a matter of days. The steps are coming quickly, and the timeline is accelerating toward something concrete.
The Celtics haven’t announced a return date. They might not have one internally. But the pieces are falling into place. Tatum is checking boxes. Adding Tatum back turns a good team into a dangerous one. The Celtics know it. Their opponents know it. And Drew Carter’s gut has been telling him all season that it’s going to happen.
The only question left is when.